Drinking Beer at Cheonggyecheon to Face Fines... Cannot Crackdown on Foreign Tourists?

As early as within this year, anyone caught drinking alcohol or smoking at Cheonggyecheon Stream will face a fine of up to 100,000 won.

Following a series of disorderly behaviors such as drinking, smoking, and bathing by some tourists recently, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has drawn its sword for actual sanctions beyond just issuing warnings.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to designate the entire 8.12-kilometer section of Cheonggyecheon Stream, from Cheonggye Plaza to the confluence of Jungnangcheon Stream, as a no-smoking and no-drinking zone, and enforce the imposition of fines within this year.

Article 11 of the current Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Use and Management of Cheonggyecheon Stream only stipulates that the Seoul Mayor can issue administrative guidance for drinking, smoking, fishing, and bathing.

Therefore, until now, there has been no legal basis to impose fines or sanctions even if these rules were violated.

However, the city plans to officially designate Cheonggyecheon Stream as a no-smoking and no-drinking zone under the National Health Promotion Act and revise the ordinance so that enforcement officers from the jurisdiction's autonomous districts can directly crack down on violations and impose fines.

The fine is expected to be set at a maximum of 100,000 won in accordance with Article 34 of the National Health Promotion Act.

An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Government said, "Currently, safety personnel guide visitors, but once it is designated as a no-smoking and no-drinking zone, autonomous districts will be able to crack down directly."

However, even if the legal basis for imposing fines is established, there are expected to be practical limitations in directly imposing fines on foreign tourists.

Recently, the issue of Cheonggyecheon's management was highlighted again as some foreign tourists entered the stream to bathe or smoke.

The city stated that it expects to raise awareness of prohibited acts among foreign tourists through strengthened enforcement.

Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video edited by Kim Minji | Design by Yang Hyemin | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.